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Week 17 (a.k.a fantasy championship weekend) is here, which means it's time for fantasy managers to make difficult, last-minute start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Today, we'll look at Nico Collins, De'Von Achane, and D'Andre Swift. They all had their share of monster games this season, but have also disappeared at times when fantasy managers relied on them.
Is Week 17 a boom or bust week for the trio? Let's dive in.
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Should I Start Nico Collins for Fantasy Football?
There aren't many players in the NFL with as drastic differences in their home/road performances as Nico Collins. In eight home games, the third-year receiver is averaging six catches and 103.3 yards per game. On the road, those numbers drop to 3.2 catches and 39.2 yards. All seven of his scores have come on home turf. The Texans host the Tennessee Titans in Week 17.
Collins also commands a hearty target share with Tank Dell off the field. With C.J. Stroud under center and Dell injured, Collins logged 12 and 34.1 PPR points (Week 6 vs. New Orleans and Week 13 vs. Denver).
Stroud is returning from a two-game absence due to a concussion and Dell won't play again this season. Collins is the undisputed top option in the Houston passing game and Stroud will be looking his way often. The Titans allow the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season and they haven't improved in recent weeks.
Collins only played 47 percent of the snaps last week against Cleveland. That was his first game back from a calf injury that essentially cost him two games. Expect that number to rebound to his season-long average of about 75 percent.
Collins is the WR17 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Should I Start De'Von Achane for Fantasy Football?
Fantasy managers may still get excited about the name De'Von Achane, but it's lost a bit of muster since his 445-rushing yard, seven-touchdown explosion across Weeks 3 through 5.
Back then, the rookie out of Texas A&M was averaging over 10 yards per attempt. He's since come back down to earth, sitting at just 4.4 yards per carry since Week 13 (still a strong number). The touches, however, aren't enough to produce.
Raheem Mostert is still the bellcow of the Miami offense, hindering Achane's breakout campaign. With 12 or fewer touches in the last three weeks, Achane hasn't topped 12 PPR points. He's been under 10 points in the last two and it's been ugly in non-PPR leagues.
Fantasy managers are depending on Achane to score for him to deliver. Mostert and his league-leading 21 touchdowns (non-quarterbacks) have the market cornered. The rookie will have to break off a long run to find paydirt.
The matchup against Baltimore isn't ideal either. Their biggest strength isn't against fantasy football running backs, but they're still in the top ten in that department. View Achane as nothing more than a flex option at best.
Achane is the RB28 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
Note: Mostert (knee/ankle) is questionable for Sunday's game. Should he sit, Achane moves into the must-start territory.
Should I Start D'Andre Swift for Fantasy Football?
D'Andre Swift is playing against Arizona. Start him.
That's really all you need to know, but I'll humor myself and divulge why the Cardinals are a cupcake matchup.
The Cardinals have seen 402 attempts from opposing running backs this season. That's 12 more than the next team, the Indianapolis Colts. But what separates the Cardinals and the Colts is how many yards they're giving up per carry. Arizona sits at 1,851 yards to running backs. Indianapolis is nearly 230 yards behind. There's little resistance from the Arizona front seven.
And it's not just yards they're giving up. Fourteen running back touchdowns have come on the ground and another eight through the air. That total only trails Carolina's 23 surrendered.
The only potential downside for Swift would be his unfortunate talent to get stopped at the one-yard line. Jalen Hurts then poaches the touchdown with the famous Tush Push. Even Jason Kelce apologizes to Swift in the huddle when that happens.
Swift is the RB7 in our half-PPR consensus staff rankings.
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